Tito Jackson’s friend reveals heartbreaking last words of musician before he died during road trip

GALLUP, NEW MEXICO: Tito Jackson's best friend and also business associate has shared details of his final moments before he died of a heart attack on September 15.

Terry Harvey Maltbia told the Daily Mail that he, along with the musician and another friend, Ronald Balfour, were on a road trip from Oklahoma to California when Jackson's health began to deteriorate.

The trio was going to drop Jackson’s vintage cars from his California home to his ranch in Claremore but they could not do so as Jackson's chest began to hurt soon after they stopped for some food in Gallup, New Mexico.

Tito Jackson complained of chest pain

Terry Harvey Maltbia shared, “We just got done eating turkey and chicken, laughing and talking. We were putting the top on the convertible because it started raining. That's when Tito came back on the passenger side window and said, ‘My chest is hurting. Can you help Ronnie to finish the [car] top?’”

“He said, ‘I ain't feeling good in my chest.’ He wiped his face off, took off his shirt and it was like someone had thrown a bucket of water on him,” he stated.

Soon nearby officers were informed about his condition before being taken to a local hospital.

Maltbia told the publication, “I figured everything was going to be OK since we got him to the hospital and he was still talking. He had a planned appearance at the Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta on Tuesday, but we thought we would miss that and might have to spend the night.”

He further explained, “And then a woman came back out and said, ‘He's not doing good.’ I said to her, ‘What do you mean? He's not doing good because he can't get up? What do you mean? I was just talking to him!"

“They took me back there and I looked at him. He had about seven doctors working on him and it got really bad. I called his brother, Marlon, and that's when he died.”

Tito Jackson's three sons paid him tribute

The body of Tito Jackson, the founding member of The Jackson 5 has not been released yet. An autopsy will be conducted by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator after his remains are shifted to Albuquerque.

Jackson, 70, leaves behind his three sons, 46-year-old TJ, Taj, 41, and 39-year-old Taryll, along with nine grandchildren.

His children said in a social media post, “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

They continued, “Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously.”

“It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is “Love One Another.” We love you Pops. Your boys, Taj, Taryll, and TJ,” they added.